For
those who have a full 72 hours (or more) to visit Lyon, Sofitel is probably the best hotel to stay at for
exploring the city and the surrounding region. Note that
its interior is much more refined and attractive than
its exterior. It offers all of the creature comforts expected
from a nice hotel. If you like the tranquility of the
riverside of the Saône, though, you can choose the Hôtel Métropole, a well-kept establishment
which offers regular shuttles to the Peninsula. You would
then be very close to the world-famous Paul Bocuse restaurant at Collonges au Mont d'Or which is not to be
missed.

The
two rivers that flow through Lyon, the Rhône and
the Saône (and the Lyonnais speak of a thirdthe
Beaujolais river), contribute to the region's charm.
Admire the lights of the city from one of the many bridges.

Musée
des Beaux Arts*

On
this third day, you should visit the Musée des
Beaux Arts (Museum of Fine Arts) on the Place de Terreaux.
It houses one of the richest collections in France. Among
the masterpieces to be admired, you will find "l'Ange
et la Vierge de l'Annonciation" (the Angel and the
Virgin of the Annunciation), an Italian work from the
early 14th century; the department of Egyptian Antiquities
and of the civilizations of the Mediterranean Basin; as
well as a beautiful collection of Impressionist paintings.
The museum, which has benefited from a renovation that
lasted ten years, is located in the Palais Saint Pierre
on the Place de Terreaux. You can access the museum via
the cloister gardens, which offer a pleasant transition
from the city.

You
should also not miss the Musée des Tissus
et des Arts Décoratifs (Museum of Fabrics and
Decorative Arts), in which you will find collections that
are closely linked to the silk industry in Lyon. Prevalent
themes in the museum are the Orient and the West and the
history of developing techniques for weaving in Lyon,
and their applications for the textile industry of haute
couture. An impressive collection of suits, dating from
the 18th century to today, is on display. The museum is
peacefully situated behind high walls and a garden in
the Ainay quarter, which is also an area where you will
find most of the antique shops of the city.

Further, just 20 miles away from Fourvière sits the
site of Saint Romain en Gal, near the city
of Vienne. In a 15-acre park you can admire the
relics of the Gallo-Roman culture, which include
mosaics, items from the daily life in a Roman house,
and the temple of Auguste and Livie.

However, before
leaving the city, you should take advantage of the gourmet
shopping at the famous butchers of Lyon, "les sabodets,"
where you will find a variety of pork sausages: pistachio
sausage, "les rosettes" (a type of slicing sausage
particular to Lyon), and "les jésus"
(a sausage that is wrapped in string exactly like infants
were in the past). These specialties can be found at Reynon, Chorliet and Sibilia. You can also do some
shopping at the Halles de Lyon, the same market frequented
by the great chefs of the area. Early in the morning,
it's not uncommon to pass Paul Bocuse. A few steps from
the market in the 6th arrondissment, the chic quarter
of Lyon, you can try some chocolates at the celebrated Bernachon. This store sends its goods throughout
the world but only has a single boutique in Lyon.